Rope clamp



March l2, 1940. A. H. HAGEN ROPE CLAMP Filed Nov`. 8, 1.959

Patented Mar. 12, 1940 ROPE CLAMP Arthur H. Hagen, Globe, Ariz., assignor of' onehalf to Harry J. Hagen, Alpine, Ariz.

xApplication November 8, 1939, Serial No. 303,460 s claims. (c1. 242-111) This invention relates to improvements in rope clamps and, particularly, to a clamp for use on rope spools or drums. y

The primary object of the invention is to provide a rope clamp particularly adapted for use on rope spools or` drums.

A further object is to provide a rope clamp of simple but sturdy construction. I A

Still another object of the invention is to pro vide a rope clamp which will grip or clamp the rope with increasing force or pressure as the longitudinal pull on the rope increases.

More specifically, the present clamp comprises two clamping members pivoted eccentrically of each other so as to move relatively longitudinally of one another when they are turned on their respective pivotal centers. There is a rope receiving recess between said clamping members and the latter have abutting surfaces', one or both of which are inclined longitudinally of the recess. When the two members are moved relatively to each other by their pivotal motions, these abutting surfaces cause the members to clamp the rope between them with increasing force or pressure.

With these and `other objects in view, the invention consists in certain details of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, all

as will hereinafter be more fully described, andthe novel features thereof. particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing- Figure 1 is a plan view of the present clamp mounted on the end fiange of a rope spool or drum;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

The .device comprises the two clamping members I0, II, one of which might be described as the block Ill, while the member II is preferably of channel formation in order to impart strength thereto. The essential point is to provide a ropereceiving recess between the two members and, by making member Il of channel formation, the bottom thereof affords a semi-circular recess for reception of the rope.v

Member I I is pivotally mounted on amounting block I2 rigid on the flange I3 of the spool or drum, said block I2 being slightly spaced at one extremity from the ange to afford clearance for oneside of member II. Block l2 may be bolted on the flange and member II is pivoted on said block by pivot pin I4. Adjacent pivot pin It, block I2 is formed with a rounded projection I5 which is positioned in a recess I6 in clamping member I0, the latter being located between the sides of the channel-.shaped member II. Thus, projection I5 serves as a pivotal support for member Ill.

With this arrangement, the members- I 0, I I, are

pivoted on eccentric centers and, as they turn on their respective centers, they will move longitudinally with respect to one another. This relative longitudinal movement is utilized for forcing the two members toward each other to clamp a rope in the bottom of member Il., For this purpose, at least one of the clamping members is formed with a longitudinally inclined surface which abuts a fixed portion of. the other mem-l ber, 'so that when the two members are moved Vlengthwise relatively to each other this inclined surface will force them together to firmly grip a rope between them. For instance, member Ill may be formed with an elongated inclined slot I'I in which a fixed cross pin I8 in member Il engages. Thus, when member I0 moves lengthwise of member II,. pin I8 will force member Ill downwardly, or toward the semi-circular bottom of member II. The flange I3 may be provided with an abutment or raised portion I9 to limit the vswinging orl turning motion of clamping member `member I0 at this time, but will retain the two members separated to facilitate insertion of a rope end in the bottom of member II or between the two members.

It will be understood that the normal usage of the present clamp is such that rather severe strains will be imposed on pin I8. For this reason, the top of channel member II is preferably closed by a top plate 2| which is inclined with respect to the bottom of said member and the upper surface of member Illl is likewise inclined and abuts against said inclined top plate. Hence,

these complementary inclined surfaces will cause the two members to move toward each other and grip a rope between them when they are swung in the proper direction on vtheir pivotal centers.

` the member I Il in proper spaced relation to mem-- As a consequence, pin I8 is relieved of undue strain, although it will always properly support ber Il when the two members are moved apart for insertion of the rope end.

What I claim is:

l. In a rope clamp, a pivoted channel-shaped housing adapted to receive a rope, a pivoted clamp block in said housing, said block being pivoted to swing about a center eccentric of the pivotal center of the housing whereby pivotal movement of the housing and block will effect relative longitudinal movement of said elements, and a longitudinally extending inclined surface on one of said elements engaging an abutting surface onthe other element.

2. In a rope clamp for fianged rope spools and drums, a channel-shaped housing pivoted -on a iiange of the spool, a clamping block in said housing, abutting inclined surfaces extending longitudinally of said housing and block, and means on said flange pivotally retaining the block in said housing,'the pivotal center of the block being arranged eccentrically of the pivotal center of the housing to effect a relative longitudinal movement of said elements when they are turned on their respective centers.

3. In a rope clamp for rope spools and drums having rope retaining anges, a plate on one of said flanges, a channel-shaped housing pivoted on said plate, an abutment on said plate, a clamping block pivoted on said abutment and positioned between the sides of said housing, the hinge connection of the block being arranged eccentrically of the pivotal center of the housing, an inclined surface extending longitudinally of said block,

and a fixed member spanning the'space between the sides of the housing and engaging against the inclined surface of said block.

toward each other.

4. In a rope clamp, a supporting plate, a protuberance on said plate, a clamping block swingable on said protuberance as a center, a channelshaped housing pivoted eccentrically of said protuberance with the side walls of said housing embracing opposite sides of said` block, an inclined surface on saidV block, and a complemental lnclined surface on said housing abutting the inclined surface of the block, the eccentricitypf the pivotal centers of the block and housing effecting a relative longitudinal movement of said inclined surfaces upon pivotal motion of the block and housing.

5. In a rope clamp, a channel-shaped housing, a clamping block between the sides of the housing,there being a space for the rope between said block and the bottom of the housing, said housing and block being pivoted to swing about eccentric centers, one of said members being formed with a surface inclined with respect to the bottom'of said housing, and the other member being formed with a fixed portion abutting said inclined surface, the eccentricity of' said pivotal centers effecting a relative movement of said abutting fixed portion and inclined surface longitudinally of the latter when the block and housing are swung on the pivotal centers. f, Y 6. In a rope clamp, two pivoted clamping members having an elongated rope-receiving space between them, said members being pivoted' to swing about centers arranged-eccentrically of one another, and cooperating, abutting surfaces on said members, one of said surfaces being inclined longitudinally of said rope-receiving space whereby a relative movement of said members longitudinally of said space will force said members ARTHUR H. HAGEN. 

